Center for Governmental Studies

California has the largest population of any state; at the same time, California’s systems of governance and civic engagement are increasingly challenged by immigration patterns, funding needs for education and literacy,  tensions over ballot initiatives, term limits, and cultural, social and partisan divides, among other complex issues.  Given this charged environment—and in a state that is often a bellwether for how issues will be dealt with in other states—the Center for Governmental Studies takes a nonpartisan approach to developing solutions.  A nonprofit organization founded in 1983, the Center creates innovative political and media solutions to help individuals participate more effectively in their communities and governments. The Center for Governmental Studies is unique in its ability to combine several areas of expertise to: convene relevant stakeholders; conduct research and policy analysis; achieve consensus among diverse groups; and effectively use technology to gather, present and disseminate the information to a wide audience. The Center has received numerous grants from the Corporation, including 2008 funding to support its California Governance Reform Project to carry out research, conduct public education, create and disseminate publications and draft model legislation to address many of the state’s most critical governance questions.